TOEFL iBT Preparation Course: The Writing section

1. Question 1 of 18

   What do you do in the Build a Sentence task?

   • ACorrect grammar mistakes in an email
   • BArrange words and phrases into a correct sentence or question
   • CWrite a full paragraph that gives your opinion about a campus topic
   • DChoose the best title for a passage
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Arrange words and phrases into a correct sentence or question

   In Build a Sentence you arrange words or phrases to form a complete, grammatical sentence or question.

2. Question 2 of 18

   How much time do you have for the Write an Email task?

   • A10 minutes
   • B20 minutes
   • C7 minutes
   • D3 minutes
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 7 minutes

   ETS's test overview says test takers have 7 minutes to write the email.

3. Question 3 of 18

   How much time do you have for the Write for an Academic Discussion task?

   • A10 minutes
   • B7 minutes
   • C30 minutes
   • D20 minutes
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 10 minutes

   ETS's test overview says test takers have 10 minutes for the academic discussion task.

4. Question 4 of 18

   What does ETS say the Writing scoring focuses on?

   • AHow fast you type your answer
   • BWriting a perfect first draft with no errors at all
   • CUsing as many long and difficult words as you possibly can
   • DHow clearly and effectively you communicate your ideas
   Show answer

   Answer: D. How clearly and effectively you communicate your ideas

   ETS says scoring focuses on clear, effective communication, not on writing a perfect first draft.

5. Question 5 of 18

   On what scale is each Write an Email and Academic Discussion response scored?

   • A0 to 30
   • B0 to 5
   • C0 to 120
   • D1 to 6
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 0 to 5

   Each Write an Email and Academic Discussion response is scored from 0 to 5. The 1–6 scale is for section and overall scores.

6. Question 6 of 18

   Put the words in order: could / you / tell me / where / the lab / is. Which is correct?

   • ACould you tell me where is the lab?
   • BCould tell you me where the lab is?
   • CYou could tell me where is the lab?
   • DCould you tell me where the lab is?
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Could you tell me where the lab is?

   Inside an indirect question ("where the lab is"), use statement word order: subject, then verb.

7. Question 7 of 18

   Put the words in order: have / you / ever / visited / the campus museum. Which is correct?

   • AHave you ever visited the campus museum?
   • BYou have ever visited the campus museum?
   • CHave you visited ever the campus museum?
   • DHave ever you visited the campus museum?
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Have you ever visited the campus museum?

   In a present perfect question, the order is have + subject + ever + past participle.

8. Question 8 of 18

   Put the words in order: what / did / the professor / say / about the quiz. Which is correct?

   • ADid what the professor say about the quiz?
   • BWhat did the professor say about the quiz?
   • CWhat did say the professor about the quiz?
   • DWhat the professor did say about the quiz?
   Show answer

   Answer: B. What did the professor say about the quiz?

   In a past-tense wh- question, the order is question word + did + subject + base verb.

9. Question 9 of 18

   Put the words in order: the deadline / was / extended / by two days. Which is correct?

   • AThe deadline was by two days extended.
   • BThe deadline extended was by two days.
   • CThe deadline was extended by two days.
   • DWas extended the deadline by two days.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The deadline was extended by two days.

   In a passive sentence, the order is subject + was + past participle, then the extra details.

10. Question 10 of 18

    Put the words in order: I / didn't / receive / the email / about the change. Which is correct?

    • AI didn't receive about the change the email.
    • BI didn't the email receive about the change.
    • CI receive didn't the email about the change.
    • DI didn't receive the email about the change.
    Show answer

    Answer: D. I didn't receive the email about the change.

    In a negative statement, the order is subject + didn't + base verb + object + other details.

11. Question 11 of 18

    Put the words in order: do / you / know / if / the bookstore / is / open. Which is correct?

    • ADo you know if is the bookstore open?
    • BDo know you if the bookstore is open?
    • CDo you know the bookstore if is open?
    • DDo you know if the bookstore is open?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Do you know if the bookstore is open?

    After "Do you know if", the rest uses statement order: "the bookstore is open".

12. Question 12 of 18

    Which opening sentence best states the purpose of the email?

    Task: You borrowed a laptop from the campus technology center for one week. On the second day, the laptop's charger stopped working. Write an email to the center's manager, Mr. Ford.

    In your email:
    - explain what happened
    - describe how this affected your work
    - ask what you should do next

    • AI am writing about a problem with the charger for the laptop I borrowed.
    • BLaptops are very useful for students these days.
    • CI am a second-year student, and I really like your technology center.
    • DPlease send me a brand-new laptop and charger right away, or I will complain.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. I am writing about a problem with the charger for the laptop I borrowed.

    A good first sentence tells the reader why you are writing. The others are off-topic or impolite.

13. Question 13 of 18

    Which sentence covers the second point, how the problem affected your work?

    Task: You borrowed a laptop from the campus technology center for one week. On the second day, the laptop's charger stopped working. Write an email to the center's manager, Mr. Ford.

    In your email:
    - explain what happened
    - describe how this affected your work
    - ask what you should do next

    • AI hope you are having a good week, Mr. Ford.
    • BI borrowed the laptop from your center on Monday morning last week.
    • CThe charger is black and about one meter long, with a gray plug.
    • DSince the laptop died, I could not finish my lab report on time.
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Since the laptop died, I could not finish my lab report on time.

    The second point asks how the problem affected your work. Only this sentence describes an effect on your work.

14. Question 14 of 18

    Which ending is most appropriate for this email?

    Task: You borrowed a laptop from the campus technology center for one week. On the second day, the laptop's charger stopped working. Write an email to the center's manager, Mr. Ford.

    In your email:
    - explain what happened
    - describe how this affected your work
    - ask what you should do next

    • AThat's all I have to say. Ana
    • BSee ya! Write back to me really fast, OK? Ana
    • CBye for now, from everyone at the technology center
    • DThank you for your help. Best regards, Ana Silva
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Thank you for your help. Best regards, Ana Silva

    Writing to a manager calls for a polite, slightly formal closing with your name.

15. Question 15 of 18

    A student's email explains the problem and asks what to do next, but says nothing else. What is its main weakness?

    Task: You borrowed a laptop from the campus technology center for one week. On the second day, the laptop's charger stopped working. Write an email to the center's manager, Mr. Ford.

    In your email:
    - explain what happened
    - describe how this affected your work
    - ask what you should do next

    • AIt leaves out one of the three points in the task
    • BIt does not mention the weather
    • CIt is much too polite for a message to a manager
    • DIt uses complete sentences instead of short bullet notes
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It leaves out one of the three points in the task

    The task lists three points. This email skips how the problem affected the student's work, so it is incomplete.

16. Question 16 of 18

    Which sentence is the best way to begin a response to this discussion?

    Professor Lee: This week we are discussing city planning. Some people think cities should spend more money on public transportation, like buses and trains. Others think the money should go to repairing roads for cars. Which is a better use of city money, and why?

    Sam: I think roads matter more. Most people in my town drive, and potholes damage cars.

    Priya: I disagree with Sam. Better buses would reduce traffic and pollution for everyone.

    • ASam and Priya both wrote posts this week.
    • BI agree with Priya, because buses help people who cannot drive.
    • CCity planning is a topic that many people talk about these days.
    • DI don't know, both ideas are kind of good.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. I agree with Priya, because buses help people who cannot drive.

    A strong response states a clear opinion at the start and gives a reason. The other choices take no position.

17. Question 17 of 18

    Which sentence responds to Sam's point while supporting public transportation?

    Professor Lee: This week we are discussing city planning. Some people think cities should spend more money on public transportation, like buses and trains. Others think the money should go to repairing roads for cars. Which is a better use of city money, and why?

    Sam: I think roads matter more. Most people in my town drive, and potholes damage cars.

    Priya: I disagree with Sam. Better buses would reduce traffic and pollution for everyone.

    • ASam is right about potholes, but more bus riders means less road damage.
    • BI also drive a car to school every day, just like most people in my town.
    • CSam is wrong, and his idea about fixing the roads is a bad one.
    • DCars were invented more than a hundred years ago.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Sam is right about potholes, but more bus riders means less road damage.

    This sentence accepts part of Sam's point, then uses it to support the other side with a reason.

18. Question 18 of 18

    Which sentence has the most suitable tone for this academic discussion?

    Professor Lee: This week we are discussing city planning. Some people think cities should spend more money on public transportation, like buses and trains. Others think the money should go to repairing roads for cars. Which is a better use of city money, and why?

    Sam: I think roads matter more. Most people in my town drive, and potholes damage cars.

    Priya: I disagree with Sam. Better buses would reduce traffic and pollution for everyone.

    • AFor example, a new bus line in my city took many cars off the road.
    • BBuses are, like, totally awesome and stuff, lol.
    • CEveryone knows that fixing roads is a really stupid idea.
    • DWhatever the professor thinks about this is fine with me, honestly.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. For example, a new bus line in my city took many cars off the road.

    Academic writing is polite and uses specific examples, not slang or insults.

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